Clothes that are too tight not only look bad, they’re also not good for your health. Here are some reasons why you should never force yourself into clothing that is too small.
Control pants
They’re an indispensable part of many women’s wardrobes, but stomach-flattening control pants can have some potentially nasty side effects if they are too tight. The increased pressure on your lower stomach forces acid up to your gullet, resulting in heartburn. Over time, this can lead to ulcers. They can also affect your breathing because they artificially hold in your stomach. This action can cause hyperventilation and panic attacks. Stress incontinence is another side effect of prolonged pressure on your lower stomach.
Trousers
Trendy skinny jeans can increase the risk of compressing the nerve that runs from the pelvis to the outer thigh. This can then lead to tingling and numbness.
Shoes
Ill-fitting shoes can result in a whole host of medical problems – bunions, corns, blisters, calluses, ingrown toe nails and trapped nerves. Shoving your feet into shoes that are too small can lead to hammer toe, a deformity caused by bending the toe joints out of shape so they curl up instead of lying flat. You can also risk athlete’s foot due to insufficient airflow around the feet.
Underwear
Visible panty lines are not the only potential hazard with tight knickers – they can also cause a yeast infection such as thrush. Tight underwear creates a warm, moist environment that bacteria thrives in. G-string underwear also carries risks. They can transfer bacteria forwards – possibly causing infections such as cystitis. The risk of infection is higher in women who going through menopause as they have less oestrogen, which helps protect against bacteria.
Bras
Bras that are too tight may produce unsightly bulges and also restrict circulation. This may affect the ability of your lymphatic system to work properly and the toxic waste is not efficiently removed from the body. There are some theories that if this continues long-termit can lead to breast cancer – but this has not been proved. Tight bras can cause back, shoulder and breast pain. It is crucial to wear the right bra, especially if you have large breasts. If the bra doesn’t provide support, you’re likely to feel pain in your shoulders.
